Still another means to gain an advantage is using outside experts. Failing this, opponents may raise a number of objections or points of information concerning the topic that cannot be easily answered, thereby tabling the topic until another day. Efforts may be made to order the topics at a meeting in such a way that the undesired topic is last on the list. There are a variety of strategies used for controlling the agenda. One of the simplest ways to influence a decision is to ensure that it never comes up for consideration in the first place. Another group may emphasize research and will try to set criteria related to number of publications, reputation in the field, and so on.Ĭontrolling the Agenda. One group tends to emphasize teaching and will attempt to set criteria for employment dealing with teacher competence, subject area, interpersonal relations, and so on. Attempts to control objective decision criteria can be seen in faculty debates in a university or college over who gets hired or promoted. According to Herbert Simon, if an individual is permitted to select decision criteria, he needn’t care who actually makes the decision. As such, significant power can be exercised by those who can practice selective use of objective criteria that will lead to a decision favorable to themselves. Very few organizational questions have one correct answer instead, decisions must be made concerning the most appropriate criteria for evaluating results. Similar criticisms were leveled against President Reagan. His two senior advisers had complete control over who saw the president. A well-known factor contributing to President Nixon’s downfall was his isolation from others. Another related power tactic is the practice of controlling access to persons. Only the personnel department and senior managers typically have salary information-and power-for personnel decisions.Ĭontrolling Access to Persons. A good example of this is the common corporate practice of pay secrecy. Most decisions rest on the availability of relevant information, so persons controlling access to information play a major role in decisions made. Pfeffer, Power: Why Some People Have it and Others Don’t (New York: Harper Business, 2011).Ĭontrolling Access to Information.
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